Train Driver Medical Standards

[Newapplicant]

Hi all,

First post so be gentle.

I have recently applied to Northern as a trainee train driver based out of Leeds. I was wondering whether there were any documents or guides online regarding medical standards. I have had quite a checkered medical past and feel it best to be able to review this prior to progressing my application before I (hopefully) reach the medical stage and get told that I wouldn't be eligible.

I figured that I would confirm through this forum first before bothering HR.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ComUtoR]

https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/RIS-3451-TOM Iss 1.pdf

Train Drivers – Suitability and Medical Fitness Requirements

Synopsis
This document sets out medical fitness
requirements for train drivers

 

[Newapplicant]

Exactly what I've been looking for, thank you very much!

 

[baz962]

I think that is a bit old , and some of it does not apply.

 

[Newapplicant]

Having scanned through it, it's not what I thought it was. I am hoping for a document which outlines certain conditions and states whether people would be eligable.

I guess I might just have to bite the bullet and email HR directly unless there are any other documents like the one I mentioned above.

 

[ComUtoR]

I think that is a bit old , and some of it does not apply.

It is the current live document. Do you have a link to another that superceeds this and can you point out the bits that do not apply please.

@Newapplicant. Can you be more specific as some things are covered elsewhere.

 

[baz962]

I do not have a link Com , when I had my medical in feb this year I asked the doctor concerning unaided eyesight , due to reading different opinions on here . The doctor told me that there is no un aided minimum requirement for people requiring correction. If you can meet the requirements with glasses or lenses , then no minimum without.

 

[Newapplicant]

Without going in to too much detail I've had issues with my brain the past where I've had tumours and because of this I now require hormone replacement for the rest of my life. So I'm wanting to confirm either through a document or having to speak with HR as to this is something that they would or wouldn't accept.

 

[ComUtoR]

That will fall under EU license regulations.

I checked the document and the changes you mention are covered (page 12). The Standards Document is live and up to date. ROGS are a nightmare to understand but effectively they cover pretty much everything. There is plenty of overlap between various standards, which is always mentioned in the Guidance notes or directly in the document.

I checked the RSSB and found 3 sets of Medical Standards. This document applies to Drivers.

@Newapplicant. If you have a very specific condition or medical question then HR will be your best option but even then they will most likely refer you to Occupational Health.

 

[Newapplicant]

Thanks, I'll email them now to clarify.

 

[baz962]

Ah well not sure then , my medical was for driver .

 

[ComUtoR]

Drugs are covered and there is a very extensive list that are banned but Occupational health are very good at providing alternatives. I believe we have a couple of Drivers who are on HRT.

There is another document that applies to safety critical work.

 

[SAlty]

I do not have a link Com , when I had my medical in feb this year I asked the doctor concerning unaided eyesight , due to reading different opinions on here . The doctor told me that there is no un aided minimum requirement for people requiring correction. If you can meet the requirements with glasses or lenses , then no minimum without.

Hi Baz

Very interested to hear this because there seem to be conflicting reports on unaided eyesight. Do you mind sharing which TOC your medical was with?

 

[baz962]

Hi Baz

Very interested to hear this because there seem to be conflicting reports on unaided eyesight. Do you mind sharing which TOC your medical was with?

Hi salty , that should not make a difference , as the rssb set the standard , not the toc.

 

[ComUtoR]

https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/RIS-3451-TOM Iss 1.pdf

2.1.7
New train drivers from 29 October 2013 or existing drivers applying for a driving licence
-
Visual acuity
2.1.7.1
Railway undertakings shall test driver’s visual acuity using the requirements contained within Schedule 1 of the Train Driving Licences and Certificates
Regulations

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/724/schedule/1/made

Vision

(2) The following requirements as regards vision must be complied with—

(a)aided or unaided distance visual acuity: 1,0; minimum of 0,5 for the worse eye,

(b)maximum corrective lenses: hypermetropia + 5/myopia -8, (derogations may be authorised in exceptional cases and after having obtained the opinion of an eye specialist, the recognised doctor then takes the decision),

(c)near and intermediate vision: sufficient, whether aided or unaided,

(d)contact lenses and glasses are authorised when periodically checked by a specialist,

(e)normal colour vision: use of a recognised test, such as Ishihara, as well as another recognised test if required,

(f)field of vision: full,

(g)vision for both eyes: effective; not required in a case where a person loses binocular vision after starting job as train driver when that person has adequate adaptation and sufficient compensation experience,

(h)binocular vision: effective,

(i)recognition of colour signals: the test must be based on recognition of single colours and not on relative differences,

(j)sensitivity to contrasts: good,

(k)no progressive eye disease,

(l)lens implants, keratotomies and keratectomies are allowed only on condition that they are checked on a yearly basis or at intervals set by a recognised doctor,

(m)ability to withstand dazzle,

(n)coloured contact lenses and photochromatic lenses are not allowed, but UV filter lenses are allowed.

As you can see. You need to use both documents to get the fuller picture.

Apologies to Newapplicant for the tangent. Good luck with HR but a quick investigation leads me to believe that HRT is allowed. The minutiae of everything else will need Occupational Health guidance.

 

[baz962]

So two documents , is there two sets of rules .

 

[SAlty]

Hi salty , that should not make a difference , as the rssb set the standard , not the toc.

Thanks for your reply. The rssb doc appears to indicate that the maximum correction is +5/-8 ...

 

[ComUtoR]

I understand your confusion.

The Group standards sets out what is required and how everything is regulated. For the eyesight it is saying that compliance must be based on Section 1 of the EU license regulations. The ROGS often link to other rules and regulations. As an example it will set out that we must have a medical at a set interval. That set interval is further defined by another standard. It will state, for example, that Drivers must be in compliance with a defined hearing standard but that hearing standard will be defined by a more specific test. Just as Colour vision is determined under group standards by Drivers requiring to not have defective colour vision but is further defined as meeting a colour blindness test and then further defined by using a recognized test and then standardized with the TOCs by using the Ishihara test.

All the main ROGS are doing is setting out the requirements and the fine details etc are typically defined elsewhere.

Its actually very efficient. If the EU license rules change the standards are still stating that Driver must comply to EU rules so the standards don't need to be changed.

Easy when you know how

 

[baz962]

Thanks for your reply. The rssb doc appears to indicate that there is a minimum without correction of +5/-8 ...

It seems I don't understand the document , but the doctor told me no minimum , so not much to add .

 

[SAlty]

It seems I don't understand the document , but the doctor told me no minimum , so not much to add .

Interesting that the Drs may not even know what these complicated standards are... Thanks anyway

 

[The Lad]

I need to go to your doctor!

 

[Highlandspring]

a) aided or unaided distance visual acuity: 1,0; minimum of 0,5 for the worse eye

This is the bit that answers the question posted above about uncorrected minimum visual acuity. What it’s stating is that you need to be able to achieve 1.0 (6/6 or 20/20 if you prefer) either with or without correction, with the worse eye achieveing at least 0.5 (6/12 or 20/40) again with correction if required. This implies that there is, indeed, no minimum visual acuity standard for uncorrected sight for train drivers. Additionally any correction that is applied cannot be more than +5 dioptres or -8 dioptres. Whether TOCs/FOCs are able to impose their own more onerous standards I don’t know.

 

[SAlty]

It seems I don't understand the document , but the doctor told me no minimum , so not much to add .

Hi again Baz, just wondering if you could let us know what the eye test actually involved at the medical - was it just a case of reading a wall chart with each eye or do they scan your eyes with some equipment...? Any info much appreciated

 

[baz962]

Hi again Baz, just wondering if you could let us know what the eye test actually involved at the medical - was it just a case of reading a wall chart with each eye or do they scan your eyes with some equipment...? Any info much appreciated

Just the good old eyechart for me .

 

[Swayed]

Hi again Baz, just wondering if you could let us know what the eye test actually involved at the medical - was it just a case of reading a wall chart with each eye or do they scan your eyes with some equipment...? Any info much appreciated

Hi SAlty, I had my medical a couple of weeks ago. I had the chart with one eye covered at a time but I also had a short sighted test too. I had to hold a card in front of me at arms length and there were 3 paragraphs on it with different sizes of writing, had to read the smallest size of paragraph that I could.

 

[Dynamonic]

At my medical, I had both the chart, and that binoculars looking thingy with the numerical slides inside. (That's as technical as I can get with that one)
EDIT: It had flashing lights either side too!

The biggy at my medical was blood pressure, which I'm hoping I'll get the all clear for shortly. (White Coat Hypertension)

 

[SAlty]

Just the good old eyechart for me .

Hi SAlty, I had my medical a couple of weeks ago. I had the chart with one eye covered at a time but I also had a short sighted test too. I had to hold a card in front of me at arms length and there were 3 paragraphs on it with different sizes of writing, had to read the smallest size of paragraph that I could.

At my medical, I had both the chart, and that binoculars looking thingy with the numerical slides inside. (That's as technical as I can get with that one)
EDIT: It had flashing lights either side too!

The biggy at my medical was blood pressure, which I'm hoping I'll get the all clear for shortly. (White Coat Hypertension)

Thanks for the info everyone - it's appreciated
Swayed - was the short sighted test each eye separately or both together?
Dynamonic - what the heck?! Sounds like something from Star Trek. Ps. Hope you get good news soon.

 

[Swayed]

Thanks for the info everyone - it's appreciated
Swayed - was the short sighted test each eye separately or both together?
Dynamonic - what the heck?! Sounds like something from Star Trek. Ps. Hope you get good news soon.

Both together. Found the lady at the medical very nice and very helpful. They want you to pass

 

[SAlty]

Both together. Found the lady at the medical very nice and very helpful. They want you to pass

Great news, thanks.

 

[Dynamonic]

I second what Swayed says. It's very clear the occupational health staff are on your side. They will do everything they can to try and get you through your medical.